Do your part! This fall, plan to plant native species at home, and join a volunteer effort to beautify your community. Tell your friends and family about the importance of native species, and get them involved too!

Get Growing America!

Keep America Beautiful is proud to host the second annual National Planting Day on September 6, 2014!

National Planting Day celebrates the value and power of native species in restoring ecological balance to the environment while creating greener, more beautiful communities. With a national focus on September 6 and activities happening throughout the Fall, national nonprofit Keep America Beautiful, its affiliates and its partners are mobilizing Americans to plant native species of trees, flowers, and plants.

Why Plant Natives?

Native species are losing ground to suburbanization, fragmented habitats, ornamental plants and invasive species. Yet we know that natives are critical to attracting specialized pollinators and insects, which in turn provide food for birds and ultimately many more animals up the foodchain. Natives also provide habitat for wildlife. Natives are hardy, low maintenance and require less water than other ornamentals. A good reference website about native plants is American Beauties Native Plants.

What Can I Plant in My Part of the Country?

There are some fantastic online resources that can help you choose the right native species for your project and region. We recommend the Pollinator Partnership web site that has eco-regional planting guides tailored to specific areas of the U.S. You can find out which eco-region you live in by entering your zip code. Plant Native (featuring a state-by-state directory of native species, specialized nurseries, and local organizations).

Which Trees and Shrubs Provide the Best Food for Wildlife?

Not all plants are created equal. Some plants provide food and shelter for more insects than others. If you are trying to plant trees and shrubs that will harbor more insects for wildlife (such as birds) to eat, then see this chart to determine what to plant. It shows which plants (by genus) provide more insects in order of importance. All of them are native plants.

“Gardening with natives is
no longer just a peripheral option – It is an important paradigm shift in our
shaky relationship with the planet that sustains us, one that mainstream
gardeners can no longer afford to ignore.”

- Douglas W. Tallamy, Professor and Chair of Entymology and Wildlife Ecology, University of Delaware